Oerlikon GDF explained

Oerlikon GDF
Origin:Switzerland
Type:Autocannon
Is Ranged:YES
Is Artillery:YES
Service:1963–Present[1]
Used By:See Operators
Wars:Iran-Iraq War
Falklands War
Designer:Oerlikon
Manufacturer:Oerlikon
Weight:6700kg (14,800lb) (with ammunition)
Length:7.8m (25.6feet) (travelling)
Part Length:3.15m (10.33feet) (barrel)
Width:2.26m (07.41feet) (travelling)
Height:2.6m (08.5feet) (travelling)
Crew:3[2]
Cartridge:Complete round: 35×228mm, 1.565abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Caliber:35mm
Action:Gas-operated[3]
Rate:550 rounds/min (per barrel)
Velocity:1175m/s (HEI-T)
Range:Ceiling: 4000m (13,000feet)
Carriage:4 wheels with outriggers
Elevation:−5°/+92°
Traverse:Full 360°

The Oerlikon GDF[4] or Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon is a towed anti-aircraft gun made by Oerlikon Contraves (renamed as Rheinmetall Air Defence AG following the merger with Rheinmetall in 2009). The system was originally designated 2 ZLA/353 ML but this was later changed to GDF-001. It was developed in the late 1950s and is used by around 30 countries.[5]

Design and development

The system uses twin autocannons, firing 35×228mm NATO-standard ammunition. It was originally designated 353 MK and is now designated as the KD series. The same KD series 35mm cannons are used in the Leopard 1 based Gepard and Type 74 tank based Type 87 SPAAG and Marksman self-propelled anti-aircraft guns (SPAAG). The system could be paired with the off-gun (remote) Super Fledermaus fire control radar, which in the late 1970s was upgraded to the Skyguard system. The weapons were aimed either directly, by way of an advanced sighting system, or automatically, by locking onto the target with radar. Early models carried 112 rounds ready to fire, and an additional 126 stored on the chassis as reloads. Later versions with automated reloading carry 280 rounds total. A typical engagement burst is 28 rounds.

In 1980 an upgraded model, the GDF-002 was produced, which featured an improved sight, and the ability to be directed by an off-gun digital control system. A few years later a third version of the system was being produced, the GDF-003, which was broadly similar to the GDF-002, but included some enhancements like self-lubricating weapons and integrated protective covers.

In 1985 a further upgraded model was produced, the GDF-005, which was introduced, featuring the Gunking 3D computer-controlled sight with an integrated laser range-finder and digital control system. The GDF-005 also introduced an automated ammunition-handling system, which eliminated the need for the two reloaders, reducing the crew from 3 to 1.

The guns are usually transported by a 5-tonne 6×6 truck.

KD series cannons

Development of the KD series cannon began around 1952 soon after Oerlikon calculated that 35 mm was the optimum calibre for an anti-aircraft gun. The KD series cannons were a design adapted from the post-war 20 mm KAA 204 Gk cannon. Several designs were developed, including a water-cooled design, designated Mk 352, which was tested by the U.S. Navy.The final design was the Mk 323, which was developed in two variants, a belt-fed version the KDA, and a linkless version the KDC, fed by seven-round clips. Both designs are gas-operated, with a propped-lock locking system.[6]

Super Fledermaus

The Super Fledermaus fire control system was designed and built by the then separate Contraves company. It consists of a four-wheeled towed trailer with an E/F band pulse doppler search radar with a range of around 15 km and a pulse doppler tracking radar operating in the J band, also with a range of 15 km. It was also used as the fire control system on the Gepard SPAAG.

Skyguard

The Skyguard is a fire control system introduced in the 1960s to replace the Contraves Super Fledermaus system in the Swiss Air Force. It is produced by Oerlikon-Buehrle (now Rheinmetall Air Defence). Updated version were fielded in 1975, 1995 and 2010. It's an all weather low to medium altitude (up to 3,000 m) air defence system with the maximum effective distance of 4,000 m.

The Skyguard fire control system performs air surveillance, target acquisition, calculation of the derivative-action values and control of the twin 35 mm guns. Pulse doppler search radar, pulse doppler tracking radar and co-axial television camera are mounted on the roof of the towed trailer. Skyguard is operated by four people. The radar is deployed quickly through the use of hydraulic systems for antenna erection. The trailer houses the crew of two and a small power generator.

A typical fire unit consists of two twin 35 mm gun platforms with a single Skyguard fire control radar. Skyguard systems can also incorporate an optional SAM module based on the GDF's mount and radar system but with the guns replaced by four missile canisters. It can be armed with either AIM-7 Sparrow, RIM-7 Sea Sparrow or Aspide missiles.

The Skyguard radar system was used in the German Air Force for surveillance of low-altitude flight zones. In Taiwanese service, the system includes the Sky Sentinel radar, one 35 mm Oerlikon twin gun and an AIM-7 Sparrow Missile Launcher. Greek service the Skyguard system with RIM-7M is known as the VELOS.[7] In Spanish service, Toledo is a Skyguard system with Aspide launchers where the fire control unit has been replaced with Skydor from Navantia.

Combat history

Ammunition

NATO designation HE-T/HEI-T HE/HEI HEI(BF) SAPHEI/SAPHEI-T APDS/FAPDS TP-T/TP AHEAD ATOM 35mm
Projectile weight535g550g550g550g375g550g750gn/a
Explosive98g112g70g22gn/a n/a n/a n/a
Propellant330g n/a
Complete round1565g1580g1580g1552g1440g1580g1780g1750g
Muzzle velocity1175m/s 1175m/s 1175m/s 1175m/s 1440m/s 1175m/s 1050m/s 1020m/s

Designation:

Norwegian Nammo, in addition to Oerlikon, supplies at least some variants of this ammunition.[23] [24] Norwegian ammunition was supplied to Ukraine in 2022 for use in the GDF guns in its Flakpanzer Gepard anti-aircraft systems, but it was found not to be compatible, requiring modification.[25]

Versions

Operators

See also

Related development

References

Notes
Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

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  2. Book: Foss, Christopher. Jane's pocket book of towed artillery. 1977. Collier. 227. 0020806000. New York. 911907988.
  3. Book: Friedman, Norman . The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems, 1997–1998 . Oerlikon 35mm (Type GDM-A and GDM-C) . 1997–1998 . Naval Institute Press . Annapolis, Md. . 978-1-55750-268-1 . 455 . https://books.google.com/books?id=l-DzknmTgDUC&pg=PA431 . April 6, 2012.
  4. Web site: GDF - Weaponsystems.net. weaponsystems.net. 2017-07-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20160308120224/http://weaponsystems.net/weapon.php?weapon=ee02+-+gdf. 2016-03-08. live.
  5. Web site: GDF | Weaponsystems.net .
  6. George M. Chinn, The Machine Gun, Volume V
  7. Web site: VELOS . haf.gr . Hellenic Air Force . 18 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190518173427/https://www.haf.gr/en/equipment/velos/ . 18 May 2019 . live .
  8. Pook, page 109
  9. http://www.britains-smallwars.com/Falklands/David/Goosegreen.htm "Goose Green: The Argentinian Story"
  10. Reynolds, David (2002). Task force: the illustrated history of the Falklands War. Sutton, p. 150.
  11. Rodríguez Mottino, p. 170
  12. http://cronistaurbano.misionesonline.net/2009/08/06/el-derribo-del-primer-avion-argentino-en-malvinas/ El derribo del primer avión argentino en Malvinas
  13. Fernández Reguera, José (1987). La Guerra de las Malvinas. Ed. Fernández Reguera, p. 572
  14. "During the attack, MacLeod's aircraft was hit by shrapnel which penetrated the rear equipment bay area of the aircraft and fractured the aft reaction control air pipe. On decelerating to the hover during the recovery, this caused a fire to start in the rear equipment bay and smoke was seen coming from the aircraft. Fuel indications suggested a considerable fuel leak at the same time. MacLeod executed a very quick and professional landing in worrying circumstances. Having landed-on, the fire was extinguished by the ground crew." RAF diaries, 12 June entry
  15. En uno de esos ataques -12 de Junio- el enemigo en vuelo rasante (150 mts. del suelo) descargó todos sus cohetes sobre el cañón: resultaron seis heridos leves y fue "tocado" por la propia artillería antiaérea; uno de los sirvientes descargó sobre la máquina enemiga su fusil FAL; el cañón continuó en servicio. Rodríguez Mottino, page 91
  16. Pook, page 162
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  27. Web site: 35 mm Twin Barrel Anti-Aircraft Gun: GDF-003B . www.mkek.gov.tr . 26 July 2021 . 25 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210725160235/https://www.mkek.gov.tr/en/product.aspx?id=52&source=Products&pid=1454 . dead .
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